Fidel Castro Discusses Rights, Chilean Ties

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[FBIS Editorial Report] The following roundup includes the
translated texts of Cuban domestic media reports on the
activities and remarks of President Fidel Castro during his
visit to Mexico City on 1 December to attend newly elected
Mexican President Ernesto Zedillo's inauguration.

Havana Radio Rebelde Network in Spanish at 0000 GMT on 2
December reports during its regularly scheduled "Exclusive"
program:

"Commander in Chief Fidel Castro highlighted in Mexico today
the attention and respect paid to human rights in Cuba, contrary
to accusations of violations of these principles in Cuba.
During a brief declaration to the press in Mexico City, where
he attended President Zedillo's inauguration, Fidel affirmed
that Cuba has done more for human rights than any other country
in the entire hemisphere and in the entire world. Spanish Prime
Minister Felipe Gonzalez held a 35-minute meeting with Fidel.
After the meeting, Gonzalez declared that he has noticed an
improvement in reform processes aimed at economic liberalization
in Cuba. Gonzalez told reporters that their meeting was cordial
and that they had reviewed the general situation and the
internal processes of economic reforms in Cuba and in Spain."

Radio Rebelde adds during the same newscast: "Commander in
Chief Fidel Castro met Cesar Gaviria, OAS secretary general and
former Colombian president, on bilateral issues today. Fidel,
who attended Mexican President Zedillo's inauguration, also met
Chilean President Eduardo Frei and Bolivian President Gonzalo
Sanchez de Lozada, as well as Felipe Gonzalez, after the
conclusion of the official inauguration ceremony. Over the
course of the day in Mexico City, meetings with several
personalities attending the inauguration were on Fidel's agenda."

Havana Cuba Vision Network in Spanish at 0100 GMT on 2
December carries during its regularly scheduled "NTV" newscast
the following video recorded exchange between Castro and a group
of unidentified correspondents.

Footage shows medium shots of Castro standing in a hallway
in
his uniform with a number of hand-held microphones in his face,
speaking at his usual pace and waving his arms occassionally:

The correspondent asks: "What did you and Chilean President
Eduardo Frei discuss?

Castro says: "I must be discreet at this point: We had a
friendly conversation. This is the second time I have had the
pleasure of meeting President Frei. I have always been very
satisfied with our meetings. I have always listened to every
aspect of his addresses, which have been serious addresses. He
made a very good impression on me. We spoke a little about
Cuba, a little about Chile, and international issues.

The correspondent asks: "The possibility of renewing
diplomatic relations?

Castro replies: "Well, listen, it would not have been polite
for me to start pressuring President Frei during our meeting.
This must come in its own time.

The correspondent says: "But your opinions, Commander.

Castro replies: "I believe that things between Chile and
Cuba
will improve in time. I am not pessimistic. Relations will be
formalized some day. We have consuls, we trade, we have many
friends in Chile. Relations will come. Goodwill is what is
important, and there clearly is goodwill."
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